KEY WEST, Fla. (AP) — Fantasy Fest is kicking off in Key West, Florida, on Friday with a full slate of events for the primary time because the COVID-19 pandemic began greater than two years ago.
The annual 10-day-long party runs through Oct. 30.
“Resulting from the COVID pandemic, this can be the primary full Fantasy Fest since 2019,” Fantasy Fest board chair Steve Robbins said. “So I do know our guests and staff are enthusiastic about getting back to the true Fantasy Fest.”
Dozens of themed events are set for the festival, including a nighttime parade featuring floats and elaborately costumed marching groups on Oct. 29. Participants are encouraged to attract costume ideas from the festival theme, “Cult Classics & Cartoon Chaos,” portraying characters inspired by favorite cartoons and tv or film productions with a cult following.
Events begin Friday with a Royal Coronation Ball to crown the festival king and queen, following a campaign that awards royalty to the 2 individuals who raise essentially the most money for AH Monroe, a Keys-based organization providing care, housing and education for HIV patients.
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Key West’s Caribbean roots are celebrated this weekend with a Goombay street party in historic Bahama Village. Hundreds of locals, costumed as zombies, are to take part in Sunday’s Zombie Bike Ride.
Other highlights are Wednesday’s Pet Masquerade; a Thursday night toga party at Sloppy Joe’s Bar, a watering hole frequented by Ernest Hemingway; next Friday’s Masquerade March; and a flamboyant Headdress Ball.
Initiated in 1979 as a approach to bolster tourism revenues during a typically slow fall, Fantasy Fest accounts for some $40 million in economic impact, in accordance with Keys tourism officials.
“Having a full-fledged Fantasy Fest also supports many not-for-profit organizations,” Robbins said. “But it surely’s definitely a lift to our hospitality industry.”
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